Introducing New Journeys and Badges for STEM and the Outdoors

17 Jul 2017

On July 17, 2017, Girl Scouts of the USA released programming for 38 new badges and Journeys focused on outdoors and STEM, which are available at no additional cost through the Volunteer Toolkit! This new programming follows the same model as the current badge and Journey options and is intended to be an add-on to the program choices now available to girls and volunteers. Here's a quick snapshot of the new awards available to you and your girls:

Outdoor Journey

Anchored by the Troop Camping badge, this new Journey will strengthen girls' outdoor skills and ignite their interest in environmental stewardship. Girls will also complete a Take Action project.

Available for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior troops

Formatted as a downloadable PDF on the VTK for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors (launching mid-August)

STEM Journeys

Designed to increase girls' aptitude and interest in STEM topics and fields, these new Journeys will introduce girls to a wide range of skill-building opportunities in areas like robotics, programming, and citizen science. Available for Daisy through Junior, and Multi-level (K-5).

Engineering | Think Like an Engineer: Girls learn how to think like a designer by participating in hands-on design challenges and completing a Take Action project.

Computer Science | Think Like a Programmer: Girls learn how programmers solve problems by participating in interactive computational-thinking activities and completing a Take Action project.

Outdoor STEM| Think Like a Citizen Scientist: Girls practice the scientific method by undertaking a citizen science project that involves making observations, collecting data, and working with scientists. Girls also complete a Take Action project.

Badges

Girls explore their interests and build skills on a variety of topics.

Engineering | Robotics: Girls design their own robots after learning how they're built and programmed. "Unplugged" activities allow girls to earn badges without buying kits. Available for Daisy through Junior.

Engineering | Mechanical Engineering: Girls complete hands-on engineering activities, such as building and testing roller coasters, race cars, and gliders. Available for Daisy through Brownie.

Girls' Choice | Troop Camping: This year, girls from across the United States had the chance to vote for their favorite badge category and topic. And the winner? Troop Camping! Available for Daisy through Junior on the Volunteer Toolkit.

New Daisy Badges: Two new Daisy badges----Outdoor Art Maker and Good Neighbor----give Daisies a chance to get in on the creativity other Girl Scouts already enjoy and discover all about their school, city or town, and state! Available for Daisy.

Combined with existing STEM and outdoor programs, as well as programming in life skills and entrepreneurship, these new Journeys and badges are designed to help girls unleash their inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ as they achieve the five outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience: sense of self, positive values, challenge seeking, healthy relationships, and community problem solving.